by Tammy Vitale

December 28, 2006

The "Z" List/ The "W" list

Soul Card: Fighter. I am the one who draws the line, the one who has never been tamed. I am the one who embraces ferocity, licks wounds, bares teeth white and gleaming in the smokey air. Tammy Vitale

There is a meme going around the internet called the Z List started by Mack Collier at The Viral Garden. At this point there are several versions, including one added to by Seth Godin which includes "A" List marketeers (more on that in a bit). Somehow my blog got on the list early on and I've started seeing links here as a result - thanks Mack!

Mack's original idea was to give link love to your favorite blogs - and not add your own. Seth's version says add your own and then others.

Seth also posted the list on something called plexo where they are now being ranked (last night I was at -8 and this was just after finding I was in a popularity contest - gee guys, I would have dressed up if I'd known it was gonna turn into this! - not you Mack. Gentle readers if you visit Mack's site you will note that this was not exactly what he had in mind). I love the idea of the list and hate the way it's been changed into high school all over again. I emailed same to Seth and he replied: Is Digg a contest? Well, gee Seth, yeah it is. And if you google "plexo" you come up with a heading for the Z list that specifically says: "keep an eye on this list. See who wins..." Um, last time I looked, win gets paired with lose, so yeah, Seth, it is a contest.

Yes, my ego is sore - I don't let the competitive me out very often because, as the card above notes, she bares her teeth and wades in. I learned a long time ago, if you're gonna throw down - then go for it. Even Ghandi says (this is paraphrased): if you can't practice non-violence with true peace in your heart, then go for it. Mack's idea was community. Seth's idea changed that.

For the list check Mack's Dec 21 post (I understand the links copy? I'm not sure how this works, but all the sites I've been on say just grab the list, you can go to Mack's site - more link love for him, because I just tried to grab his list and can't get it to copy)(if anyone reading this can give me the steps to getting the list here, I'll do it).

Anyways, most of these blogs, but not all, are about marketing...imitation is the highest form of flattery, so they say, so what do you think about a "W" list? One by women for women? I'll start here (linking the way I understand to link) and if anyone is interested, they can take it from there. And let's keep it as a community thing - no ranking! anywhere! And I'm putting Mack's site in first because it was his idea and he deserves the link love that results...he'll be our honorary guy (and I hope he thinks it's an honor!).

Grab the list, add your favorites (remember, don't list your own) and pass it on (I'm sure I missed some of my favorites, but this is a good start).

Soul Card: The Source. I am the one from which two and three emerge, the container of the whole before gender or color is aware of itself; I am the one who is thunder, dreaming.

Soul Card: Empath. I am the one who registers the feeling of the world around me, the one who hears unspoken thoughts; I am the one who sees the myseries that are hidden in the deepest oceans. This is not always a gift.

(ok. I'm seeing lines here when I preview - just blue lines - that may or may not be the Z list I was trying to get - geesh I wish I were more technical!)

Hello Tammy,
I liked your vision of the Z-List and the fact you reacted to Seth's hijacking. Plus the W-List is a great idea. Wishing that its spirit remains intact as long as possible.
Best Wishes from mindblob.
Luc.

For a source of links to some TERRIFIC blogs, I recommend browsing around at BlogHer.org. It is a very positive community (aka NOT high school). Their conference is great, too - lots of resources for bloggers with all levels of experience.

Thanks for putting Thick Paint on your W list! I'm catching up on blog reading today and just discovered it (I'm trying to limit my time in blogoshpere so as to get a few extra minutes in my studio but it's hard because blogging is so fun)

So now, as I understand it, I take the list, post it on my blog, and add my favorite links. Is that right?